Sunday Post: A little cooler next week

Kimberly hosts the Sunday Post each week. I like to take part because it gives me an opportunity to look back at last week and forward to next week in both my personal life and my blog and book life! I also love to see what other people are doing and what books everyone is reading.

Home and Blog

Should be a little cooler next week. Yay!

I didn’t do too much this week though my Iowa daughter and I went clothes shopping on Saturday. We both needed a few new clothes and were both happy when we left the store! I also played Mah Jongg twice during the week–a good inside air-conditioned activity for hot weather. And it was hot this last week . . . in the upper 90’s and once to 100 degrees and with the heat index above 100 each day. Luckily, we got a big storm one night and about an inch and a half of rain. Even so, the yard is drying out and the few new plants we have needed water every day.

Family Reunion

Every year on the first weekend in August we have a big family reunion in northern Wisconsin. It’s loads of fun and it’s always great to catch up with people. This is my husband’s family who mostly live in the Midwest and we get together for a big party twice a year–in August and at Thanksgiving. Last August we celebrated with our oldest family member’s 90th birthday and there were about 100 people. This year there will be fewer people so a little more relaxed. The family who holds the reunion live on a lake so there’s boating, swimming, barbecuing and lots of conversation. Each family who comes signs up for making meals, clean-up and bringing supplies. Our family is making Sunday morning breakfast and we’ve decided to do waffles, overnight oatmeal and fruit so I’ve read up and am planning making waffles for a crowd. My three kids are coming, too, so my husband and I will have lots of help.

A second blog

I’ve started a second blog–Remember the Families–so that’s taking some of my time. I’ve mentioned a couple of times that I’ve started working on genealogy again after about a ten-year absence. The research and reading about DNA and history of the areas my family lived is taking up some of my time. But I’m having lots of fun! However, I have to admit I’m not spending as much time with this blog. I’m trying to balance the two and will work to do that in the next few weeks.

Available July 20-26

In the blink of an eye, everyone disappears. Gone. Except for the young. There are teens, but not one single adult. Just as suddenly, there are no phones, no internet, no television. No way to get help. And no way to figure out what’s happened. Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating. And the teens themselves are changing, developing new talents—unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers—that grow stronger by the day. It’s a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen, a fight is shaping up. Townies against rich kids. Bullies against the weak. Powerful against powerless. And time is running out: on your birthday, you disappear just like everyone else . . .

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Devin doesn’t remember life before the world got hot; he has grown up farming the scorched earth with his grandfather in their remote valley. When his grandfather dies, Devin heads for the city. Once there, among the stark glass buildings, he finds scores of children, just like him, living alone on the streets. They tell him rumors of a place for abandoned children, with unlimited food and toys and the hope of finding a new family. But only the luckiest get there.

An act of kindness earns Devin an invitation to the home, but it’s soon clear that it’s no paradise. As Devin investigates the intimidating administrator and the zombie-like sickness that afflicts some children, he discovers the home’s horrific true mission. The only real hope is escape, but the place is as secure as a fortress.

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What did you do last week? What did you read? What books did you collect? What are you planning the rest of the summer?

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14 Responses to “Sunday Post: A little cooler next week”

Best of luck with the second blog – my second cousin did an exhaustive exploration of our family tree and discovered all sorts of interesting ancestors. Have a great week:).sjhigbee recently posted…While the Morning Stars Sing

Thanks, Sarah! Yes, I am discovering interesting ancestors–although none are royal or aristocratic or wealthy so far, darn it! Most everyone I find is a farmer which makes sense since growing food was so necessary as the population grew.Jan recently posted…Sunday Post: mid July and blazing hot

I wish we had family reunions, we did when I was younger but it seemed it was the older generation that got them going and now they are dead and no one seems to want to do it anymore. I don’t know a whole lot of my family because we never get together to get to know anyone. 🙁

I have always wanted to find my genealogy but there are so much stuff to be done. I have looked up a little. I want to know my Native American heritage but it seems harder to find. I want to do one of those DNA testing things. Good luck with your second blog.Stormi Johnson recently posted…The Week In Review #150

Thanks, Stormi! The family reunions are fun and in my husband’s family it’s the younger generation that’s determined to keep the family together. My side of the family have grown more apart. I have a couple of cousins I haven’t seen in a number of years.

My aunt has been doing a lot of work with our family genealogy and its fascinating! I need to look into my dads side of the family though since the aunt who is doing the work is my mom’s sister.
Have a wonderful week!samantha recently posted…Sunday Post: So hot!

Yes, it can be fascinating to do genealogy. So fun (though it can also be disturbing…lol) to find things you didn’t know before about your ancestors. I hope you get a chance to research you dad’s family.Jan recently posted…Sunday Post: mid July and blazing hot

Our family likes to have their reunions the 2nd week of August, which I never understand, because it’s always so dang hot! lol Kudos on putting together a blog focused on the history of your family. I’m sure that will be rewarding to go back in time and learn lots of new and fun info. Hope your day is amazing! Hugs…RORO recently posted…NOPE, STOP ASKING ME TO GET RID OF MY BOOKS…

Thanks, Ro! Yes, August can be very hot–even in northern Wisconsin it can be hot! I’m enjoying blogging about things I’m finding out about my various ancestors.Jan recently posted…Sunday Post: mid July and blazing hot

How fascinating to have a genealogy blog! I love genealogy and once a year or so I renew my Ancestry membership and fall down the rabbit hole! Some of what I’ve found has been expected but there’s been quite a bit that was a surprise which is always interesting. The family reunion sounds like lots of fun and I love how you guys assign tasks. Waffles are always a winner for breakfast. Have a great week!Katherine recently posted…Ten Books On My Keeper Shelf

Thanks, Katherine! I have to admit I’ve fallen down the genealogy rabbit hole, but I don’t want to stop my readerholic blog so I’m trying to find some balance. The surprises are fun though I have heard about people who tested their DNA and discovered they weren’t who they thought they were. Thought might be too big a surprise.

We’re looking forward to the family reunion. It’s always a whirlwind of activity and conversation and eating!Jan recently posted…WWW Wednesday: July 26

The Notes Version

I love to read...especially fantasy, science fiction and mysteries.

Random things I like--coffee, my family, British TV police procedurals, flowers, color, sitting reading with a cat on my lap, throwing a ball for a dog, comments on my blog.